Union vows to intensify strike if SAB digs in heels

THE Food and Allied Workers Union (Fawu) has warned that consumers should be prepared for fewer beverage choices during the festive season, if its industrial action at South African Breweries (SAB) is not resolved.

The union will meet with SAB management today in an effort to bring to a close the two-week strike at the company.

Fawu deputy general secretary Moleko Phakedi said yesterday that members had resolved at a meeting on Monday to intensify the industrial action at the company through sympathy strikes at SAB divisions and a consumer boycott of SAB products.

SAB spokeswoman Robyn Chalmers said yesterday that secondary strike notices had been received by soft drinks company Appletiser, SAB’s soft drinks company Amalgamated Beverage Industries (ABI) and SAB Hops Farms.

Ms Chalmers said SAB would continue to monitor developments at its entities. “We believe the majority of workers at these divisions wish to continue working”.

Mr Phakedi said yesterday that Fawu represented about 3,000 workers at ABI, and just less than 100 workers were also set to join the strike action at SAB’s hop production company, SAB Hop Farm.

Fawu began an indefinite strike at SAB at the beginning of this month, demanding a 9% wage increase across the board. The brewer has offered a 7% average increase.

Fawu has rejected the offer, maintaining that the offer is only a 4.2% increase, with the remainder being a non-guaranteed performance-based component.

Ms Chalmers said the offer had been carefully considered, with “more than 90% (about 2,400 people) of eligible bargaining unit employees guaranteed an increase of 7% or above. The top performers will receive an increase of up to 9%, while just 217 employees will receive less than 7%.”

The company said contingency plans were in place to minimise disruptions and ensure there would be no beer shortages.